Mark E. Cedrone

Founding Member

“It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, ‘whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection,’ and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever.” ~ John Adams

Over an almost thirty (30) year career, Mark E. Cedrone has dedicated his professional life to representing individuals and businesses having serious disputes with, or under investigation by, various governmental units and/or administrative agencies. Mr. Cedrone has represented and counseled individuals and businesses in a wide range of sophisticated criminal and quasi-criminal matters, ranging from complex tax matters to computer crimes to drug and firearm offenses.

Based in Center City, Philadelphia, Mr. Cedrone represents clients in all stages of the government dispute/litigation process, including investigations, plea negotiations, trials, post-trial proceedings, and appeals. Mr. Cedrone has the unique ability to adapt his approach to the specific needs of every client. He has successfully represented attorneys, pharmacists, realtors, and insurance brokers accused of wrongdoing by and before various licensing boards and administrative agencies. His clients have also included high ranking public officials, multi-national corporations, and small and large business owners.

Mr. Cedrone, a former law clerk/attorney advisor for the United States Tax Court, is one of a handful of attorneys in the Philadelphia area qualified to represent individuals in audits and investigations conducted by the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities. He has extensive experience in sensitive civil tax audits, criminal tax investigations, trials in criminal and civil tax matters, sentencing proceedings, and tax appeals. He has also represented clients in connection with the Internal Revenue Service’s Voluntary Disclosure Programs, Form 8300 investigations, and various collection and innocent spouse proceedings.

After graduating from Temple University School of Law with honors in 1985, Mr. Cedrone began his professional career as a law clerk/attorney advisor for the United States Tax Court in Washington, D.C. Upon completing his clerkship, Mr. Cedrone joined the prominent Philadelphia law firm of Duane, Morris & Heckscher (now Duane Morris LLP), where he worked in that firm’s Special Litigation Group. While there, Mr. Cedrone’s practice focused almost exclusively on complex criminal and civil tax disputes.

In 1992, Mr. Cedrone started his own practice. From 1993 to 2001, he worked alongside, and under the tutelage of, the legendary Thomas Colas Carroll (now deceased) who was considered among the best criminal defense attorneys in Philadelphia.

Mr. Cedrone has spoken frequently at multiple conferences on white collar defense and tax litigation topics. He has been selected, once again in 2018, by his peers as one of Pennsylvania’s Super Lawyers for White Collar Criminal Defense, an honor reserved for the top 5% of the bar. Mr. Cedrone has served as an executive member of the Temple American Inn of Court. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section and Tax Section. In 2018, Mr. Cedrone was invited to become a Fellow of The American College of Trial Lawyers, recognized as the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America.

In addition to his work for private clients, Mr. Cedrone is very proud to represent indigent defendants charged in federal criminal matters. Specifically, he serves as an active member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Often, federal judges will request Mr. Cedrone to accept appointments in complicated and challenging cases.

Mr. Cedrone is also active in many charitable endeavors. He sits on the Finance Committee of his local parish church in Philadelphia. He also serves on the Board as an officer of the Hope Partnership for Education, a non-profit middle school and adult education center serving the poor of North Philadelphia.

Court Admissions

• Pennsylvania• United States Supreme Court• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania• United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan• United States Tax Court• United States Court of Federal Claims

Testimonials

“So, you are looking for a top-notch decades-experienced Philadelphia criminal defense attorney, are you? This is your lucky day, you have come to the right web site. You need look no further. You have come to the best.”

I am a medical doctor and was wrongfully accused by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with illegally dispensing controlled substances. Each and every step involving the Commonwealth criminal case against me – legal research, Preliminary Hearing, the Discovery process, repeated discussions with the Prosecution, representation for a related professional licensing civil issue, Habeas Corpus Hearing times two in two different Counties, Expert Witness recruitment, preparation for trial, the Trial Date, and numerous activities related to restoring my professional life after the Trial Date – were all dealt with absolutely perfectly by Attorney Cedrone.

It all went better than I ever expected.

Ending with the criminal charges against me being dismissed on the Trial Date without a trial. With a written signed statement submitted by the Prosecution to the Court in my favor on the Trial Date including a statement that there was no Probable Cause. With ultimately my return to professional work.

Whether you are 200 % innocent like I was, or 100 % guilty, or anywhere in between, it does not matter. You are entitled to and absolutely need the best possible defense. The legal process is totally slanted against you with the Prosecution wielding a lot of power as it tries to “get” you. It is not in any way a level playing field. No way.

You need to defend yourself NOW. And since you will never know the whole story of what is going on with the Prosecution, your defense HAS to be with a vigor greater than that of the Prosecution, done with great skill, in order to get the system back into balance so that Justice can ultimately prevail. This is what Mark Cedrone did for me – he saw that justice prevailed.

I give you my highest recommendation for Attorney Cedrone to be your Defense Attorney. It could be the best decision that you will ever make.”

Dr. William CosbyForest City, Pennsylvania

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“I got to know Mark well during the 10 years that he represented me, and I couldn’t have been happier with his representation. He is a top-flight lawyer who used his experience, knowledge, and excellent judgment to achieve a positive result in my case. Mark is clearly skilled at navigating the legal system, he is respected by the community, and he is always a pleasure to deal with. I am glad to call him my lawyer and my friend.”

Bruce BaronBluebell, Pennsylvania

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“A few years ago, because of e-mail marketing I got into some trouble with the Federal Trade Commission and had horrible experiences with attorneys in the area, until I found Mark Cedrone.

I fired my first attorney after I lost confidence in him when a 2.5 million default judgment was entered against me.

I then hired some incompetent chicken s*** Philadelphia attorney that refunded my retainer when it looked like this case may actually require a brain to defend. Subsequently, I interviewed three other Philadelphia attorneys and Mark Cedrone out shone them all like a 100 watt light bulb against night lights. Ultimately, I was charged with and pled guilty to computer fraud and although I did some jail time, I nonetheless love Mark.

Mark is not only competent and caring, he also had season tickets to the Phillies and they were great seats. (He is also smart enough to know they are bums now, so he gave up the seats). He is a good and decent man. He is respected in the court room and has a great relationship with the United States Attorney’s office; they seem to listen when he talks. I would highly recommend NOT getting in trouble but if you did some dumb ass shit then Mark Cedrone is your man.”

Brian McDaidDowningtown, Pennsylvania

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“I appointed Mr. Cedrone to represent you because he’s about as thorough a lawyer as I’ve ever seen.”

Honorable Jan E. DuBoisUnited States v. Tyrone Trader

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“And the person who has moved for your admission, if he’s any example, you’ll be a superb lawyer.”

Honorable Paul S. Diamond, United States District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaIn re Admission of CME to United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Speaking Engagements

“Experts – How To Use Them and How To Keep Them Out,” Winning Strategies Seminar (Long Beach, CA), January 12, 2017 & (Houston, Texas), June 8-10, 2017